Peach tree `Snow Beauty`

ABSTRACT

The new and distinct variety of peach Prunus persica tree has the following combination of unique and desirable features: 
     1. Heavy and regular bearer of large size fruit. 
     2. Fruit with excellent flavor and eating quality. 
     3. Fruit with firm, white flesh, good handling and shipping quality. 
     4. Fruit with an attractive red skin color. 
     5. Fruit staying firm on the tree 6 to 7 days after maturity (shipping ripe). 
     6. Vigorous, upright growth of the tree.

ORIGIN OF THE VARIETY

The present new variety of peach tree was developed by us in ourexperimental orchard located near Modesto, Calif., as a first generationcross between two selected seedlings with the field identificationnumbers 30EB280 and 1GC131. The maternal parent, field identificationnumber 30EB280, originated from a first generation cross of two selectedseedlings. One originated from a cross of Redwing Peach (U.S. Plant Pat.No. 621) with a nectarine of unknown parentage. The other originatedfrom a cross of Fayette Peach (non-patented) with May Grand Nectarine(U.S. Plant Pat. No. 2794). The paternal parent, field identificationnumber 1GC131, also originated from a cross between two selectedseedlings. One seedling originated from a cross of Fayette Peach(non-patented) with a low chilling non-melting clingstone peach ofunknown parentage. The other originated from an open pollinated MayGrand Nectarine (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 2794) seedling.

ASEXUAL REPRODUCTION OF THE VARIETY

Asexual reproduction of the present new variety by budding was performedby us in our experimental orchard located near Modesto, Calif., andshows that all characteristics are established and transmitted throughsucceeding asexual propagations and run true to the original tree in allrespects.

SUMMARY OF THE NEW VARIETY

The present new and distinct variety of peach tree is of large size,vigorous, upright growth, a productive and regular bearer of large,white flesh, freestone fruit, substantially overspread with anattractive red skin color. The fruit is further characterized by beingsub-acid, mild and sweet with excellent flavor and eating quality,having firm flesh with good handling and shipping quality, staying firmon the tree 6 to 7 days after maturity (shipping ripe) and maturingapproximately 10 days after White Lady Peach (U.S. Plant Pat. No.5821).

PHOTOGRAPH OF THE VARIETY

The accompanying color photograph show typical specimens of the foliageand fruit of the present new peach variety, the upper and lower surfaceof the leaves being illustrated, an exterior and a cross sectional viewof a fruit divided in the suture plane to reveal flesh coloration, pitcavity and a stone remaining In place, The photographic illustration wastaken shortly after being picked at maturity (firm ripe) and the colorsare as nearly true as is reasonably possible in a color presentation ofthis type.

DESCRIPTION OF THE VARIETY

The botanical details of the new and distinct variety of peach tree, itsflowers, foliage and fruit are based on observations of specimens grownnear Modesto, Calif., with color terminology (except those in commonterms) referenced to Reinhold Color Atlas by A. Kornerup and H.Wanscher.

Tree:

Size.--Large.

Vigor.--Vigorous.

Form.--Upright.

Density.--Medium dense.

Productivity.--Productive.

Bearer.--Regular.

Shape.--Normally pruned to vase shape.

Trunk:

Size.--Large.

Surface.--Medium shaggy.

Color.--Brown to grayish brown (5-E-4) to (5-E-5).

Branches:

Size.--Medium.

Surface.--Smooth to medium rough.

Lenticels.--Numerous. Medium to large in size.

Color.--Dark blond to oak brown (5-D-4) to (5-D-6). Varies with age ofgrowth.

Leaves:

Size.--Large. Average length 61/4". Average width 13/4".

Texture.--Smooth.

Margin.--Crenate.

Form.--Lanceolate, pointed.

Petiole.--Medium length. Medium thickness.

Glands.--Number varies from 1 to 3. Average number 2. Reniform. Mediumsize. Located on lower portion of leaf blade and upper portion ofpetiole.

Color.--Upper surface--green to dark green (28-E-7) to (28-F-8). Lowersurface--grayish green to green (28-E-6) to (28-E-7).

Flower buds:

Size.--Medium.

Form.--Plump.

Length.--Medium.

Pubescence.--Pubescent.

Flowers:

Size.--Medium, non-showy.

Pollen.--Present, self fertile.

Color.--Pink.

Blooming period.--Date of first bloom: Mar. 5, 1994 Date of last bloom:Mar. 11, 1994. Varies slightly with climatic conditions.

Fruit:

Maturity when described.--Firm ripe.

Date of first picking.--Jun. 21, 1994.

Date of last picking.--Jun. 26, 1994.

Size.--Large. Average diameter axially 31/8". Average transversely insuture plane 33/16".

Form.--Globose, nearly symmetrical, slightly flattened on stem end.Suture.--Shallow, extends from base to apex.

Ventral surface.--Nearly round, some fruit very slightly lipped.

Apex.--Usually slight pistil point, varies from slight point to retuse.

Base.--Retuse.

Cavity.--Round to slightly elongated in suture plane. Average depth1/2". Average breadth 1".

Flesh:

Texture.--Firm

Juice.--Moderate.

Ripens.--Evenly.

Aroma.--Moderate.

Fibers.--Few, small, tender.

Flavor.--Excellent, mild, subacid, sweet.

Eating quality.--Excellent.

Amygdalin.--Undetected.

Color.--White to slight pinkish white (6-A-l ) to (6-A-2). Pit cavity,light red to geranium red (11-A-6) to (11-A-8), slight bleeding of redinto flesh around pit cavity.

Skin:

Thickness.--Medium.

Texture.--Medium, tenacious to flesh.

Tendency to crack.--None.

Down.--Moderte amount. Short in length.

Color.--White to pinkish white ground color (9-A-1) to (9-A-2).Overspread with red to deep red (10-C-8) to (10-D-8).

Stone:

type.--Freestone.

Size.--Large. Average length 11/2". Average width 1". Average thickness5/8".

Form.--Ovoid to obovoid.

Base.--Varies from straight to rounded.

Sides.--Mostly equal, varies from equal to unequal.

Apex.--Acuminate.

Surface.--Pitted throughout, pits vary from round to elongated.Irregularly furrowed toward apex.

Tendency to split.--Very slight.

Color.--Light brown to reddish brown (8-C-5) to (8-D-6).

Use: Dessert.

Market.--local and long distance.

Shipping quality: Good.

Storage quality: Good.

The present new variety of peach tree, its flowers, foliage and fruitherein described may vary in slight detail due to climate, soilconditions and cultural practices under which the variety may be grown;the present description is that of the variety grown under theecological conditions-prevailing near Modesto, Calif.

We claim:
 1. A new and distinct variety of peach tree, substantially asillustrated and described, characterized by its large size, vigorous,upright growth and a regular and productive bearer of large, firm, whiteflesh, freestone fruit with a mild, subacid, sweet flavor with excellenteating quality; the fruit is further characterized by having goodhandling and shipping quality, being nearly overspread with anattractive red skin color and maturing approximately 10 days after WhiteLady Peach (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 5821).